Such a simple phrase, creatively written, with an immense meaning. I found it yesterday's after pondering the question, "How much should we pray?" Immediately, upon searching just a few minutes, this phrase reared its presence and stood stoic. It was odd as there was nothing else attached for further meaning. No need for more explanation it boosted. I may have posed this question initially in my own selfish defense. Possibly a simple reaction contemplating how long one must pray for something until it is finally approved by God.

But I see there is no time frame in the eyes of God. By praying without ceasing, we develop such a strong bond that God hears and gives to us always. After all, the Bible says, pray and believe it is done, for it has already been granted to you by the father. That constant connection brings life's joys from above.

I pride myself on praying often. I thought that my prayer approach was probably more exceptional than most. There goes my ego again. But to pray without ceasing? That gives prayer a whole new spin in my book. This biblical verse makes me restructure my thoughts anticipating the need to be in direct contact with him at all times. That would mean God takes on a whole new persona, as a friend. Someone I feel confident sharing every aspect with my life. By doing so, I will be granted blessings and guidance steering me off the course of trouble. I fancied this thought, and realized there are so many prayers I am missing. If God wants to hear from me without ceasing, then I am apparently missing out on so many opportunities that slip through my hands like sands in the surf.

Thinking quietly, I realize my prayers may be a bit self-centered. Probably a little biased since they are all about me. Do I stop and give him adoration? thanksgiving? repentance? After all, there are many blessings God grants me each day. Do I ask for forgiveness when I've afflicted someone?

Regardless of my feelings of justification, I must ask God for forgiveness for hurting another child of his. Do I praise him with thanksgiving for all the many blessings he bestows? I know I'm good at asking for what I need, that seems to be automatic, but I need to ensure I look at the variety of prayer to pray unceasingly.

Daily Guidance

1. If you're at loss as to praising God in adoration, here is an easy one to get started:

Biblical Prayer of Praise and Adoration:King David's prayer, quoted in 1st Chronicles 29:10-13, is one of many scriptural examples of a prayer of praise and adoration to God:

"Praise be to You, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from
everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and
the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth
is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, You are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands
are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give
You thanks, and praise Your glorious name."

2. If you've sinned and need a formal prayer:

Psalm 51

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my
transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I
sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when
You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful
from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner
parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I
will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and
gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing
spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners
will turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and
my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth
will declare Your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. In Your good
pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be
righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight You; then bulls will be
offered on Your altar."

3. Above all, just talk when you pray! Talk every minute of every day to feel God's inspiration!

"If you forgive others for their "transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

There Is no will but God's may sound a bit unnerving. After all, God did plant our own will in each and every one of us. We do have the means to act upon our own life in ways we see fitting. But, there are clear roads to follow in the Bible. When we deviate from those roads, life can get a bit bumpy, challenging, and uncomfortable.

Do you realize that sometimes your own act of will can prevent God's blessing from pouring into your life? That stubborn act of will can stop the flow of God's favor. Acts such as unforgiveness of others can keep your prayers from being answered. It can keep your dreams from coming to pass. You must move past your inflexible mindset and begin to realize that true happiness only stems from God's will. You need to get the bitterness out of your life to be truly free. You will be amazed at the new heights your life can take once you release all that poison.

A few years ago a woman was buffeted with an unusual eye condition that doctors could not explain or treat. Unable to look to the left or right; wearing dark glasses indoors; forced to keep blinds closed even on overcast days. Reading was almost impossible because of how the condition affected eye function. What’s worse she was set to take a two-day medical board exam with hundreds of questions which required pouring through volumes to prepare. It wasn’t just textbooks, she couldn’t read any text without having to stop after just a few lines.

She was in the middle of applying for a residency job that had already been delayed for a lengthy amount of time and everything was at a standstill because of an anomalous eye disorder. Doctors seemed to think it might have been related to an autoimmune illness called Hashimoto’s Disease, but after extensive testing still could not give a definitive diagnosis. At a loss on what to do, only the Lord could help her with this problem.

After a spark began to ignite in her heart, she picked up the Bible and was immediately able to read without stopping. She was also able to get back to studying and eventually completed the exam. During this time she prayed for all blackness in her heart to dissipate. The Lord began with her job situation. She had faith this would happen because Jesus never forsakes us. There is power in His Word and He hears our prayers.

Today you may be at a crossroad. You may have issues to deal with and people to forgive. Take a moment and get it totally out in the open and ask God to help you forgive all your transgressions in life.

This Week's Meditation:

The light will come.

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. If you are especially upset state:

I am at peace.
Nothing can disturb me. My will is God's.
My will and god's are one.
God wills peace for me.

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.​

Such incredible, miraculous, life-changing words. “He is not here, for he has risen…”

His power could not be contained in a grave. His love could not be conquered by death. His truth could never be buried and forgotten.

Jesus Christ rose again, He is Victorious!

And He makes all things new.

The very purpose of this Easter weekend reminds us, that no matter what we’ve been through in the past, what we might be facing today, or what uncertainties tomorrow may hold, Christ alone is our Hope. He conquered death, He rose from the grave, He is all Powerful.
He breathes new life, so that we can live…free.

We have so much to celebrate today, for He has risen!

He has risen indeed!

Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for the Victory and Power in your Name. Thank you that you hold the keys over death, and that by your might, Christ was raised from the grave, paving the way for us to live free. Thank you that you had plan, thank you that you made a way.

We praise you for your great strength, we praise you for your lavish love. We praise you for you are Conqueror, Victor, Redeemer, and Friend. We praise you that you alone are our Deliverer, you are Worthy, you are our everlasting Father, our great and awesome God.

We confess our need for you. We ask that you would renew our hearts, minds, and lives, for the days ahead. We pray for your spirit of refreshing to fill us again.

Keep your words of truth planted firmly within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us of where we have been, whispering his lies and hurling attacks our way, may he be reminded again of his future. For we have a future and a hope in you. We’ve been set free, redeemed, the old has lost its grip, the new has come.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

Thanks be to you God, for your indescribable gift!

To you be glory and honor, on this Resurrection Day, and forever.In Jesus’ name,
​Amen.

"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!"

Palm Sunday is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar after Christmas and Easter. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, and marks the beginning of Holy Week, the week of events leading up to Jesus' death.

A week before He was crucified, Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and presenting Himself as the true Deliverer. These messages, given a week before Easter Sunday, will help prepare your heart to celebrate Jesus' death and glorious resurrection.

The History of Palm SundayThe celebration of Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church, around the late fourth century. The early Palm Sunday ceremony consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons recited by the clergy while the people walked to various holy sites throughout the city. At the final site, the place where Christ ascended into heaven, the clergy would read from the gospels concerning the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In the early evening they would return to the city reciting: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." The children would carry palm and olive branches as the people returned through the city back to the church, where they would hold evening services.

By the fifth century, the Palm Sunday celebration had spread as far as Constantinople. Changes made in the sixth and seventh centuries resulted in two new Palm Sunday traditions - the ritual blessing of the palms, and a morning procession instead of an evening one. Adopted by the Western Church in the eighth century, the celebration received the name "Dominica in Palmis," or "Palm Sunday".

The Meaning of Palm SundayPalm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.

The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.

Palm Sunday in Modern TimesToday, Palm Sunday traditions are much the same as they have been since the tenth century. The ceremony begins with the blessing of the palms. The procession follows, then Mass is celebrated, wherein the Passion and the Benediction are sung. Afterwards, many people take the palms home and place them in houses, barns, and fields.

In some countries, palms are placed on the graves of the departed. In colder northern climates, where palm trees are not found, branches of yew, willow, and sallow trees are used. The palms blessed in the ceremony are burned at the end of the day. The ashes are then preserved for next year's Ash Wednesday celebration.

In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an occasion for reflecting on the final week of Jesus' life. It is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.

Four Ways to Prepare for Holy Week:

Read the triumphal entry passages in the gospels. All four gospels record Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19. All four accounts reveal the significance of the triumphal entry. It was a profoundly important event in Jesus’ life.

Reflect on the significance of the triumphal entry. Jesus was introduced as King! This has major implications for here & now and then & there. The here & now implication is that we should pay homage to the King and give our lives in service to Him. The then & there implication is that He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 7:9; 17:14; 19:16).

Delight that the King came to deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and that, by grace alone through faith alone, He transferred you into His kingdom. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Do this corporately on Sunday. Gather with other kingdom constituents and worship the King.

Commit or recommit yourself to the King. There is no better time than Palm Sunday than to yield yourself to the King for the first time or anew. Is Jesus your King? If not, why not? There are are only two ways to live. If He is, does your life reveal complete allegiance to Him?

O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
(Robert Grant, “O Worship the King,” 1833)

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

How often do you regret something that happened to you in the past? Whether it’s a bitter breakup, a surprise layoff, or words we regret someone said, the consequences of the past are already here. Constantly wishing we could magically change the past only keeps us stuck, and brings us a lot of pain to boot.

A few decades ago, several American companies authorized by the U.S. government attempted to bury toxic-waste products underground. They filled large metal containers with chemical waste and other life-threatening products, sealed the drums tightly, and buried them deep down below the topsoil. They thought that was the end of it. Within a short time, however many of the containers began to leak and the toxic waste started seeping to the surface, causing all sorts of problems. In some locations it killed off the vegetation and ruined the water supply. People had to move out of their homes. What went wrong? They tried to bury something that was too toxic. They never dreamed that the materials they were attempting to bury were so powerful that they were too toxic for the containers to hold. They never dreamed that one day those contaminants would resurface, and they would have to deal with the problem all over again. But this time, the toxic materials would be dispersed and much more difficult to deal with Had they disposed of them properly in the first place, they wouldn't have had this issue.

Sadly, we do the same. When somebody hurts us, somebody does us wrong, instead of letting it go and trusting God to carry us, we bury it deep down inside. We attempt to cram unforgiveness, resentment, anger, and other destructive responses into our "leak proof" containers. Then we seal those lids tightly, but they do resurface frequently. We can't live with poison in our lives and not expect it to harm us.

The picture many of us have in our heads is that forgiveness is for weaklings. We think that forgiving is giving in to a bully who has no business pushing us around. We may also believe that by forgiving, we condone the perpetrator’s harmful behavior and give him or her the green light to keep acting that way. Those are no more than myths.

Forgiveness does not require that you approve of another’s outrageous behavior or foolishly subject yourself to it again. You can forgive and still take steps to protect yourself. You can forgive and still be clear about what you will not accept in your life from now on.

​If you can’t seem to let go of an incident from the past, these three tips can help you move on more quickly. As you put them into action in your life, remember this: by learning to release regrets, you are honoring yourself. By forgiving, you are affirming that you are greater than what others think of you or do to you.

Write a new story

“He hurt me, she betrayed me, he cheated me”—those are all snapshots of what may have happened at one moment in time. By retelling and reliving that story, we are telling ourselves and the world that what happened during one segment of our lives is the whole story of our lives. But the story of what happened to you, or what you did to someone else, at one moment in time does not have to become your life story. You always have the power to create a new story—one where your role is not that of victim, one where you honor yourself. When you catch yourself talking about or dwelling on past events, stop and ask yourself: What new choices do I commit to making right now that will give the next chapter of my life story a new, uplifting turn?

See endings as graduations

Many endings in our lives are really promotions, although it may not feel that way at first. When we have outgrown a situation, a job, or a relationship, life has a way of propelling us out of that environment to more fertile ground for our own good. When you are tempted to fall into a funk or feel sorry for yourself because of what seems like a bad ending, ask yourself: Why is life beckoning me to move on? How will I benefit from a change of scene?

Create your own ritual of release

One of the most effective ways to let go, once and for all, is to create a physical ritual of release. For instance, you can hold a shell or stone, mentally pour your feelings about a past incident into it, and then hurl it into a stream or off the side of the mountain. Or you can write down your feelings on paper along with a simple statement of surrender asking for help in letting go and finding peace. Then safely burn the letter, watching it and the issue dissipate in smoke. Let those ashes remind you of the phoenix, who at the end of its life ignites its nest and is consumed by the fire. From the ashes of its own ending, a new phoenix emerges. Know that you, too, have the phoenix inside of you.

You maybe thinking right now, "I just can't do this. This is much too hard! I can't forgive with the few words you just offered me. They hurt me too badly."

Hold on a sec! You are not forgiving for their sake, you are forgiving for your sake. You are forgiving so that poison doesn't continue to contaminate your life. If somebody has done you a great wrong, don't allow them to continue to hurt you by hanging on to it. Relinquish their power! You're not hurting them at all. You're hurting yourself.
​This Week's Meditation:

God's light has come.

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. If you are especially upset state:

The light has come, I have forgiven the world.
The light has come, I have forgiven you.

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.